Words: Anatolius, probably 6th Century (Τὴν ἡμέραν διελθὼν); translated from Greek to English by , 1853. Music: Du Freidensfürst, Herr Jesu Christ, , 1601; harmony by , 1724. Alternate tune:
|
In Neale’s preface to Hymns of the Eastern Church, where this translation was first published, he wrote:
This little hymn, which, I believe, is not used in the public service of the Church, is a great favourite in the Greek Isles. Its peculiar style and evident antiquity may well lead to the belief that it is the work of St. Anatolius. It is, to the scattered hamlets of Chios and Mitylene, what ’s evening hymn is to the village of our land, and its melody is singularly plaintive and soothing.
The day is past and over;
All thanks, O Lord, to Thee!
We pray Thee that offenseless
The hours of dark may be.
O Jesus, keep us in Thy sight,
And guard us through the coming night.
The joys of day are over;
We lift our hearts to Thee,
And call on Thee that sinless
The hours of dark may be.
O Jesus, make their darkness light,
And guard us through the coming night.
Lord, that in death I sleep not,
And lest my foe should say,
“I have prevailed against him,”
Lighten mine eyes, I pray:
O Jesus, keep me in Thy sight,
And guard me through the coming night.
The toils of day are over;
We raise our hymn to Thee,
And ask that free from peril
The hours of dark may be.
O Jesus, keep us in Thy sight,
And guard us through the coming night.
Be Thou our souls’ Preserver,
O God, for Thou dost know
How many are the perils
Through which we have to go.
Lord Jesus Christ, O hear our call
And guard and save us from them all.